Texas recently opened its first cannabis dispensary. However, unlike other American states where one can find marijuana to toke, the cannabis available at this dispensary is strictly meant for medicinal purposes. If someone expects pot brownies or a marijuana blunt, they are unlikely to find it here. The Compassionate Cultivation dispensary, located in Austin, serves only one type of product, cannabidiol (CBD) oil or cannabis oil. The primary purpose of this oil is to treat intractable epilepsy and therefore, only such patients are legally eligible to buy. A six-year-old Texan girl became the first patient to receive a dose of CBD oil at the dispensary.

Resulting from the 2015 Texas Compassionate Use Act, which was signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the dispensary in Austin marks an epoch in the decriminalization of marijuana in the state. Following this law, companies could cultivate cannabis that is rich in CBD and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the chemical responsible for causing the high. CBD, on the other hand, is not responsible for causing a dependence, addiction or cognitive impairment. Instead, studies have shown that it has anticonvulsant properties, which could come handy in the cure of epilepsy and seizures.

Currently, only three companies have got a license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary by the Texas Department of Public Safety, of which Compassionate Cultivation is the only one based in Texas. The other two companies are Cansortium Texas and Surterra Texas. Compassionate Cultivation which will be selling CBD tinctures that are tamper-evident and child-resistant. Also packed is a syringe to measure and take the right dose. The CBD oil is mixed with some coconut oil and some bottles are flavored with pepper or cherry. The tinctures are available in two sizes and are meant for oral consumption.

However, there are many who feel left out as under the current dispensation, cannabis oil is accessible only to those with an intractable epilepsy – a condition marked by violent seizures, often resulting in severe injuries to the brain. People with neurological conditions and other chronic pain conditions are not covered under the current law.

Does marijuana help manage seizures?

The adherents believe so. One such study published in The Lancet delved into the efficacy with which cannabidiol can be used for treating epilepsy. During the course of the research, neurologist Orrin Devinsky from New York University Langone Medical Center, treated 162 patients with epileptic disorder with a 99 percent pure extract of CBD. The patients who were monitored for 12 weeks also received standard medications during the course of the study. At the end of the study period, it was observed that the impact of the intervention in reducing motor seizures was akin to the existing drugs. Additionally, nearly 2 percent of the respondents completely stopped having seizures. While a majority of the respondents (79 percent) faced some discomfort and physiological problems, such as diarrhea, fatigue and drowsiness, only 3 percent backed out from the study, proving thereby that medical marijuana is relatively safe. However, the study didn’t have a control group, which led to other neurologists raising questions about the efficacy of the findings.

Holistic treatment for drug addiction

Prescription drugs can provide relief from some chronic or acute conditions only when they are used as per the doctor’s supervision and in a medical setting. It’s a myth that their continued use, long after the treatment is over, can still provide the same benefit or prevent the disease from re-occurring. Addiction to any form of drug is bound to disturb the chemical balance of the brain, leading to a number of physical and mental health problems.

A leading substance abuse rehab center in Texas, Sovereign Health of El Paso, offers highly personalized and cutting-edge drug addiction treatment, even for marijuana, in a safe and peaceful environment. The recovery program may combine detox with various behavioral therapies, including but not limited to, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), neurofeedback, and individual, group, and family therapy. For more information on our drug rehab centers, call our 24/7 helpline number and speak to an admission specialist. For instant help, you can chat online with a representative.